Kent Vernon Harms, the son of Marvin and Velma (Seegers) Harms, was born March 27, 1954 in Bremer County, Iowa. He attended school in the Toledo Public School System until 1964. While in Toledo, his parents were matron and steward of the Tama County Home. Kent loved sharing the fun and sometimes scary childhood stories of living at the county home. His family then moved to the Tripoli School District, where he graduated in 1972. His first claim to royalty was being the 1971 Homecoming King. He attended Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa after high school. After college he worked for John Deere for two years. He then moved to Colorado for two years before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada. While in Nevada he worked construction. Kent moved back to the Tripoli area in 1991, where he began farming. Kent was united in marriage with Charlene Drewes on July 7, 1995 in Frederika. They later divorced. Something that made him proud was serving as the Frederika mayor for two terms in the mid 1990’s. He also worked at Tiedt’s Nursery in Waverly and Lifeline Emergency Vehicles in Sumner, until forced to quit due to ill health. Tagged with the nickname “Hudd” may be remembered by some!
Kent’s death occurred Monday, May 10, 2010 at Community Memorial hospital in Sumner, from complications from diabetes. He was fifty-six years old. One of his greatest passions was organic farming. Any of you that spoke to him about this would get an earful. Kent loved to spend time with his grandchildren. Gardening and carpentry work were two items that he was very creative with. Playing cards with family and friends, especially at “Paul’s Park” was also another item he enjoyed. Horseback riding and animals in general was a natural for him. Sports are a passion of his, playing slow pitch for the NADS, fast pitch for Frederika, and being the coach for the ladies Blue Sky Scrapers slow pitch team. Following the Tripoli Panther Volleyball team and the DT Titans wrestling team was also a passion. Kent, Ann, and Ty were a sideline given at these events. His favorite saying with these sporting events is “Winning never gets old!” Whenever possible, there was an entire van load going with them. Kent was usually the driver. If he actually passed another vehicle on the way, the van crowd “Goes Wild”! Going around and around at the round-a-bouts on the way were a rule. He only got overly excited if the van went up on two wheels. He said his most upsetting day was when he stopped to pick up a hitchhiker and the hitchhiker said, “No thanks, I’m in a hurry.” Upon his departure he would usually say, “Manana! SALUTE!” and “See you – bye!” (spoken as one word). He very seldom argued or said a bad word about anyone. In conversation, “SURE” was usually his reply!
Kent is survived by one son Broc Harms of Cedar Falls, Iowa; one daughter, Megan Harms of Creston, Iowa; three grandchildren, Alivea, Adessa, and Jamison; his mother, Velma Matthias of Frederika; a special friend, Barb O’Connell of Tripoli; three brothers, Logen (Robin) Harms and David (Linda) Harms, both of Tripoli; Michael (Mary) Harms of Frederika; one sister, Ann Harms of Tripoli; and several nieces and nephews that he loved to spend time with and “pick on.”
Kent was preceded in death by his father, Marvin Harms, who died in August of 1995; his stepfather, Lavern Matthias, who died in September of 2001; his paternal grandparents, Herman and Amanda Harms; and his maternal grandparents, Louis and Amanda Seegers.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 13, 2010, at St. John’s United Church of Christ (Siegel). Rev. Eugene Walther will be the officiant. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m., until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at Rettig Funeral Home in Tripoli and for one hour preceding services at the church on Thursday. Interment will be in the Church Cemetery.
